To get excited for the changes of a new semester and season, it always helps me to listen to songs I associate with those changes. As the fall semester kicks off, here are some IU-inspired classics and a few more tunes to get you into that fall vibe, from my playlist to yours.
1. “Goin’ Back to Indiana” by The Jackson 5
“Goin’ Back to Indiana,” by the Jackson 5 is sure to get you excited to be a student at IU. The Jackson 5 members were born in Indiana, and this Motown beat famously references their home state. It's an upbeat song that makes me excited for campus life and is a classic theme song for out-of-state students returning to campus. It’s a simple, energetic song about returning to Indiana that gives a great confidence boost to start off the academic year.
2. “Harvest Moon” by Neil Young
“Harvest Moon,” by Neil Young is a favorite of mine as we head into autumn. The instrumentals, featuring an acoustic guitar, and background vocals by singer Linda Rondstadt, create a warm and rustic fall melody. From lyrics specifically referencing the fall season, such as, “We could dream this night away / But there’s a full moon risin’ / Let’s go dancin’ in the light...On this harvest moon,” the song’s storytelling is one of my favorite elements. It creates a homey atmosphere, through the track’s old folky style, perfect for the incoming chilly weather.
3. "September Fields” by Frazey Ford
“September Fields,” by Frazey Ford is another favorite as we head into the month of September. With bluesy and upbeat energy, “September Fields” includes horns and cheerful drumming instrumentals. It has a brisk rhythm perfect for the incoming cooler weather and quick walks to class. The lyrics themselves also match the growth and changes that come from growing older, with verses stating, “You better grab the best of your life / I know you’re ready to get older anyhow,” a reflective line that mirrors the adjustments made as a young adult to new environments and experiences.
4. "See You Later, I’m Gone” by Robert Lester Folsom
Another cozy playlist option is “See You Later, I’m Gone,” by Robert Lester Folsom. This song has a nostalgic, fall vibe that narrates the changing seasons. The track begins with the words, “The summer leaves are turning brown / They’re hanging loose on every limb,” foreshadowing the transformation IU’s campus will soon be witnessing. Sounding like a home-recorded song, with simple and imperfect instrumentals, the track feels familiar. The lyrics reflecting on time and saying goodbye while still moving forward are nostalgic, with the last line stating, “See you later, I’m gone (on my way).” Lester Folsom wrote the song during his first year of college in 1974, at the age of 19, and could certainly relate to some of those college feelings of new surroundings and possibilities.
5. “Summer’s Over” by Jordana and TV Girl
“Summer’s Over,” by Jordana and TV Girl has an ambiance and title perfectly matching the season we’re in. With a more modern feel, using synths and electronic instruments, this alternative/indie song is perfect for chill-background beats. Released in 2021, the catchy and simple vocals create a head-bopping, relaxed mood. The bittersweet lyrics about things coming to an end, and the transitions we go through as we grow is felt in this light-hearted melody.
So, as the weather cools and the workload ramps up, keep this playlist close by, and hopefully you’ll have some new songs to add to your shuffle.
